Bathsheba Everdene's home is an old mansion-like structure with
its walls covered in moss. Its architecture is "classic renaissance,"
with different styles added on later. It appears to have been the
manor hall with a small estate around it. The rear portion of the
house is used for all the farming business, while the front of the
house is little used.

Bathsheba and her maid Liddy Smallbury are busy this morning
cleaning up and sorting out papers and various other things
belonging to Bathsheba's late uncle. Liddy Smallbury is the great
granddaughter of the ancient maltster; she is of the same age as
Bathsheba and more of a companion to her mistress than a maid.
At this time, a visitor is heard knocking on the door. He asks to see
Miss Everdene, the mistress of the house. He is Mr. Boldwood, a
neighbor. Bathsheba, in her pride, refuses to meet him because she
is all dust-covered. Mr. Boldwood informs the woman who opens
the door that he has called to inquire about Fanny Robin. He turns
back without any specific information about Fanny.

After his departure, Bathsheba questions Liddy about Farmer
Boldwood. All her assembled maids inform her that Boldwood is a
bachelor. He is about forty, very rich, extremely handsome, and
strict in appearance. He is interested in Fanny Robin because it is
he who had taken care of her as a child. He had put her in school
and later found her a job at Farmer Everdene's.

From Mr. Boldwood, the discussion turns to marriage. Liddy
boldly asks her mistress if she has ever had a marriage proposal.
Since Bathsheba is very vain, she willingly answers this question.
She hints that she has had a proposal, but the young man was not
her equal in status. Their chatter ends when the farm-laborers come
up to the house.

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Notes

This chapter serves several purposes. The description of the
farmhouse reveals Hardy's descriptive power and architectural
knowledge. In the conversation between Liddy and Bathsheba, the
reader is provided with Background Information regarding Farmer
Boldwood and Fanny Robin. Finally, Bathsheba's vanity is once
again emphasized.

The incident of Farmer Boldwood's visit and his return without
meeting the mistress are significant. Bathsheba and the reader learn
about Farmer Boldwood from stories told by her maids. It is
significant that since she has not seen him, the mystery and
romantic interest in him are intensified. Hardy stresses Boldwood's
character. He is a gentleman farmer, who is handsome, rather
stern-looking, rich, and not married. He is a very kind man, but a
hopeless case where women are concerned. Several women have
tried in the past to attract him but did not succeed.